Survey shows Oklahoma small businesses support call for Balanced Budget Amendment

A recent survey by the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) of their 4,000 Oklahoma members showed overwhelming support in favor of Oklahoma joining the call for an Article V Constitutional Convention to vote on a balanced budget amendment. The survey showed that nearly 77 percent of those surveyed support the idea of having a Convention of the States, while just over five percent were against the idea and nearly 18 percent were undecided.
Sen. Rob Standridge filed legislation, including Senate Joint Resolution 4 and Senate Bill 53, this year in hopes of Oklahoma joining the more than 20 other states that have applications pending requesting an Article V Convention.

“As states, we must stand up for our rights and let the federal government know that we won’t allow this unsustainable national spending to continue. Congress continually spends billions of dollars more each year than our country produces. They’re running us into the ground,” said Standridge, R-Norman. “Our national debt has now reached more than $18 trillion but Congress is doing nothing to stop our ever increasing national deficit. Last year, our federal government spent $431 billion on debt interest payments alone. Our nation can’t continue down this path and still hope to be a world leader.”

Article V of the U.S. Constitution reserves to the states the right to call for a Convention of States to propose constitutional amendments when Congress, the Courts or both refuse to address an egregious wrong suffered by the people. If two-thirds or 34 of the states call for a Convention, Congress has to do so.
The movement has the support of several prominent conservatives including former U.S. Senator, Dr. Tom Coburn, U.S. Senator Rand Paul, Glenn Beck, Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh, Newt Gingrich and David Barton.

Standridge’s SJR 4 is an application to Congress calling for a convention of the states to propose amendments to the U.S. Constitution that impose fiscal restraints on the federal government, limit the power and jurisdiction of the federal government, and limit the terms of office of its officials and for members of Congress.

SB 53 creates guidelines for appointing delegates and addressing various issues should a convention be called.

Standridge has represented Oklahoma at The Assembly of State Legislatures for the past two years. The bipartisan group of legislators from 33 states have been working to establish rules and procedures that might guide a future Article V Convention.

“Our Founding Fathers always feared an oppressive federal power and taught us that it’s our duty to free ourselves from oppression and reestablish our union,” said Standridge. “I strongly urge my colleagues in both the Senate and House to approve these measures and let’s join our colleagues around the nation in fighting to protect our country from future financial ruin. As our founders knew, an Article V Convention gives us a peaceful, constitutional solution for reigning in the power of the federal government. It may be the best chance we have to restore the federalist vision our forefathers conceived when they envisioned this union of states.”

To move forward in the legislative process, both measures must be approved by the Senate by the floor deadline next Thursday, March 12.

To learn more about the NFIB, visit www.NFIB.com/OK.